Michael Natkin

Herbivoracious is all about reinvigorating vegetarian cuisine with modern techniques and bold, authentic flavors. My name is Michael Natkin, and I live in Seattle, WA with my wife and our two kids. For 25 years I was a software engineer specializing in computer graphics. I’ve worked at Adobe Systems developing After Effects, and helped bring dinosaurs and Terminators to life at Industrial Light and Magic. Whenever I had a moment to spare, I spent it in the kitchen or reading and writing about food.

A few years ago I took a six month leave of absence. My family and I spent a month eating our way through Israel and Italy. Then I spent the next few months interning in the kitchen at Cafe Flora. In 2010 I also had the opportunity to stage at Canlis, one of Seattle’s best known fine dining restaurants, and at New York’s Dirt Candy.

As of March 2012, I’ve left the world of software and am fully committed to food. I’ve written a cookbook for Harvard Common Press. I’ll be going on a national press tour, and when I return to Seattle I plan to develop a small, innovative restaurant. Stay tuned!

Cooking With Kids at QAFM I’ve been a vegetarian since 1984. Here’s why. I’m passionate about bringing big flavors and good culinary technique to vegetarian cooking. Not to say I don’t also love a big plate of Waffle House hashbrowns.